Valve for dispensing a plurality of fluids

ABSTRACT

Valve for simultaneously distributing fluids from a plurality of pressurized tanks comprising a central stem encircled by a plurality of radially spaced concentric cylinders, the upper ends of which seal against a seat on the upper end of the stem, while each lower cylinder end is attached to one of a plurality of superposed transverse plates, with the interior of each cylinder in communication with one of said tanks.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Bruno Moraue [56] References Cited [22] F] d g i f igz UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 3,135,428 6/1964 Gallo Sr 222/94 $3 1 3,416,707 12/1968 Pollard 222/136 g Paris, France FOREIGN PATENTS [32] Priority May 6, 1968 639,167 2/1964 Belgium 222/136 [33] France Primary Examiner- Samuel F. Coleman 1 PU150611 Attorney-Holcombe, Wetherill & Brisebois [54] OR DISPENSING A PLURALITY OF ABSTRACT: Valve for simultaneously distributing fluids from 13 Cl 3 D a plurality of pressurized tanks comprising a central stem enrawmg circled by a plurality of radially spaced concentric cylinders, [52] U5. Cl. 222/136 the upper ends of which seal against a seat on the upper end of [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/52 the stem, while each lower cylinder end is attached to one of a [50] Field of Search 222/94, plurality of superposed transverse plates, with the interior of 136, 145 each cylinder in communication with one of said tanks.

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VALVE FOR DISPENSING A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS It is often necessary to simultaneously dispense several fluids which have been packaged together under pressure, and to use for this purpose a single valve, which controls the outlets of each of the various containers holding the fluids to be dispensed. The valves presently in use for this purpose are relatively expensive and are adapted to permit the simultaneous dispensing of fluids from only a relatively small number of containers.

The present invention relates to a very inexpensive valve which permits the simultaneous dispensing of a relatively large number of fluids. This valve is an improvement on a known valve for dispensing a single fluid.

This known valve comprises a central cylindrical member provided at its upper end with a conical seat. This member is encircled by a hollow cylinder, the upper end of which contacts said conical seat. This hollow cylinder is attached to a flexible plate which is perpendicular to i the cylindrical member and against which force is exerted by the user, through a pushbutton, for example.

The present invention resides in the combination of several flexible plates analogous to the one. in the above-described valve, adapted to cooperate with a single central cylindrical member, the number of flexible plates being equal to the number of fluids to be simultaneously dispensed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new article of manufacture which consists of a dispensing valve for simultaneously distributing several fluids held in a plurality of pressurized containers, which comprises a cylindrical central member provided with a conical seat at its upper end and essentially characterized by the fact that said central cylindrical member is encircled by a plurality of axially spaced hollow cylinders, the upper ends of which abut said seat, each of said cylinders being fixed to a flexible plate perpendicular to the central cylindrical member, said plates resting one on top of the other and being provided with orifices which permit the insides of the cylinders to which they are fixed to be placed in communication with one of the containers holding a fluid to be dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, adapted to dispense two fluids, the stationary cylindrical member in the center of the valve is fixed to a rigid plate which supports its base. The outlet passage formed by the first concentric hollow cylinder is fixed to a plate having a domed central portion which may be deformed by a force exerted parallel to the axis of the cylindrical member, or obliquely with respect thereto. The rigid plate which supports the cylindrical member is pierced by a hole which connects a first pressurized container with the first outlet passage. The second hollow cylinder, which encircles the first, is fixed to a second plate, having a deformable central portion. This second deformable plate rests on the first deformable plate, and isformed with orifices which connect the inside of said second deformable plates. The space between these two deformable plates is in communication with a second pressurized container holding another fluid to be dispensed, through orifices in the first deformable plate and the plate fixed to the base of the central cylindrical member.

If more than two fluids are to be dispensed, as many concentric hollow cylinders as there are fluids to be dispensed may be positioned around the central cylindrical member, each cylinder being fixed to a plate similar to the second plate which has just been described, and resting on the plate immediately below.

When the user presses down the outermost cylinder, all the flexible plates are simultaneously deformed, or more precisely, their flexible central portions are deformed. This deformation separates the upper ends of the hollow cylinders from the conical seat on the central cylindrical member.

When the force exerted by the user is exerted parallel to the axis of the cylindrical member, the annular passages between the walls of adjacent concentric hollow cylinders are clear throughout their circumference. If, on the contrary, oblique pressure is exerted, only one circumferential portion of the annular passage is clear.

Such a valve may be actuated by direct pressure on the outer cylinder, which may carry a collar or tab, or through a pushcap slidably mounted on the outer cylinder, which cap may carry an atomizer or a device for mixing the fluids.

In another embodiment of the invention, the rigid plate which supports the stationary central member is provided with threaded recesses to which the various containers of pressurized fluid may be attached. The various containers may, for example, be positioned in a ring about the axis of the central cylindrical member. In this arrangement, each container communicates with the space between two successive superposed plates, and this space communicates with the space between the first hollow cylinder and the central membenThe flexible parts of the plates are dome shaped and thinner than the remaining portions of the plates.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for a plurality of fluids which is equipped with a valve of the type which has just been described.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic axial section showing the general arrangement of a pressurized dispenser for two liquids equipped with a valve according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view showing the valve of FIG. 1 in greater detail; and

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, reference number 1 indicates the outer container of the dispenser, considered as a whole. This outer container is closed at its top by seating thereon a cover 2. This carries at its upper end the elements forming the valve according to the invention. This valve comprises a rigid plate 3, the central portion of which supports a contain 4 coaxial with the container 1 and enclosed therewithin. It may comprise a flexible wall and be pressurized by the fluid in the container 1.

At its center the rigid plate 3, which may be made of plastic, is provided with a bore 5, in which the neck 6 of stationary central cylindrical member 7 is inserted. This member, which may be made of a plastic material sold under the trademark DELRIN, is perpendicularly mounted in the center of the plate 3 and is held in position because its normal diameter and that of its lower part 8, are greater than that of the neck 6 and the bore 5. The cylindrical member is provided at its upper end with a conical seat having its larger end uppermost.

The container 4, attached to the lower part of the plate 3 communicates with the space thereabove a through the orifice 10. The upper surface of the plate 3 carries a centering seat 11 coaxial with the cylindrical member 7, on which is mounted a first deformable plate 12, the central portion of which is in the form of a thin-walled dome 13, the center of which is extended upwardly to form a hollow cylinder 14. This deformable plate may be made of a plastic material sold under the trademark RILSAN. The inner diameter of the dome 13 is equal to the outer diameter of the centering seat 111, so that the plate 12 may be positioned on the plate 3. The: plate 12 rests on circular seats 15a, 15b, formed on the plate 3. Between these circular seats is an orifice 22 which extends. through the plate 3 and opens into the circular channel 15c between the two circular seats. The plate 12 is also provided with an orifice 23, the lower end of which opens over the circular channel 150.

A second deformable plate 16 rests on the upper surface of the plate 12, and is formed with a domed central portion 117 of about the same size as the dome 13. The dome 17 is also made of a thinner material than the remainder of the plate 16, which may be of the same material as the plate 12. The central part of the dome 17 is extended upwardly to form a hollow cylinder 18 having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylinder 14. The cylinders 14 and 18 extend upwardly far enough for their upper ends to seal against the conical seat 9 on the stationary cylindrical member 7. The cylinder 18 projects into the dome 17 so as to rest on the upper face of the central part of the dome 13. At the base of the cylinder 18 are the orifices 19. At the base of the dome 17 is a chamber 20 which prevents the dome 13 from touching the lower edge of the dome 17. The cylinder 18 is provided at its upper end with a collar 21, by means of which the user may exert pressure on said cylinder.

When the collar 21 is pressed down parallel to the axis of the stationary member 7, the cylinder 18 is translated, deforming the dome 17. Since the base of the cylinder 18 rests on the dome 13, that dome is thereby deformed, and the cylinder 14 axially translated. The axial displacement of the two cylinders along the stationary cylinder 7 opens a passage at the right of the conical seat 9, which passage permits the fluid contained in the inner container 4 and the outer container 3 to escape, the former passing through the orifice l and the annular space between the hollow cylinder 14 and the stationary cylindrical member 7, and the second passing through the orifice 22, the circular passage 150, the orifice 23, the annular open space along the chamfer 20, the orifices 19 and the annular space between the cylinders 14 and 18.

In the second embodiment of the invention illustrated on FIG. 3, the two containers which hold the two fluids to be simultaneously dispensed are enclosed in two tanks 24 and 25 which are themselves enclosed in an outer container 26. The container 26 is closed by a cover 27, which receives a rigid base plate 28 made of a plastic material. This plate carries on its upper surface a cylindrical seat 29 which receives the lower end of the fixed cylindrical member 30, which may be ultrasonically welded thereto, the member 30 being made of the same type of material as the member 7. At the upper end of the member 30 is a conical seat 31 analagous to the seat 9 hereinbefore described. The lower face of the plate 28 is provided with threaded recesses 32 and 33 which receive the threaded necks of the tanks 24 and 25. The threaded recesses 32 and 33 communicate, through orifices 34 and 3S respectively, with the space above the plate 28.

It is obvious that more than two threaded recesses may be provided in the lower surface of the plate 28, i.e., as many recesses as there are fluids to dispense, positioned in a ring around the axis of the member 30.

The two tanks 24, 25, are, in this embodiment, rigid, and internally pressurized. They may however, like the container 4 of FIG. 1, have flexible walls and be externally pressurized by means of gas in the external container 26. This latter arrangement is cheaper to manufacture.

Above the plate 28 is a deformable plate 36 comprising a central dome 37 analogous to the dome 13 previously described. The dome 37 comprises an upward extension in the form of a cylinder 38 similar to the cylinder 14. The plate 36 rests on the plate 28, the orifice 34 in which communicates with the interior of the dome 37 through a radial groove 39 in the upper surface of the plate 28, which is also provided with a cylindrical boss 40 encircling the orifice 35. This boss extends upwardly as far as the upper face of plate 36. A second plate 41 rests on the plate 36 and comprises a central flexible dome 42 fixed to a hollow cylinder 43. The height of the cylinders 38 and 43 is such that their upper ends touch the conical seat 31 of the stationary cylindrical member 30. The lower part of the cylinder 43 rests on the upper surface of the dome 37. The inside of the cylinder 43 communicates with the inside of the dome 42 through orifices 44. A chamfer 45, analogous to the chamfer 20, is provided in the base of the dome 42.

A substantially radial groove 46 is cut into the upper face of the plate 36, and passes through the corresponding wall of the cylindrical boss 40. This connects the orifice 35 to the interior of the dome 42. The deformable plates 36 and 41 may be made of a plastic material similar to that used in making the plates 12 and 16.

When the user depresses the cylinder 43 by deforming the dome 42, he simultaneously depresses the cylinder 38, and

conse uently opens thetwo annular passages aligned with the comca seat 31. The fluid 1n the tank 24 flows out through the orifice 34, the passage 39, the inside of the dome 37 and the annular space between the cylinder 38 and the stationary cylindrical member 30. The fluid in the tank 25 flows out through the orifice 35, the passage 46, past the chamber 45, through the dome 42, the orifices 44, and the annular space between the cylinders 38 and 43.

This permits the simultaneous dispensing of as many fluids as desired. It is obvious that the dispensing valve which has just been described may be used in combination with a mixing valve positioned at the outlet of the distributing valve, or with an atomizer.

It is also obvious that if more than two fluids are to be dispensed, it is only necessary to increase the number of superposed plates which make up the valve, each of said plates having a central deformable dome terminating on a vertical cylinder having its base resting on the dome of the plate therebeneath, and its upper end in contact with the conical part of the stationary cylindrical member which occupies the center of the dispensing valve according to the invention.

it will, of course, be appreciated that the embodiments hereinbefore described may be modified as to detail without thereby departing from the basic principles of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A valve for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of fluids held in pressurized containers, said valve comprising a stationary central cylindrical member provided near its upper end with a conical seat, a plurality of concentric, radially spaced hollow cylinders encircling said stationary member, with their upper ends normally in sealing contact with said conical seat, each of said hollow cylinders being mounted on a flexible plate positioned transversely with respect to the iongitudinal axis of said stationary member, said plates being superposed and all but the uppermost of said plates being pierced by a passage connecting a container therebelow to the interior of at least one of said hollow cylinders.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said stationary central cylindrical member is attached to a rigid supporting plate pierced by apassage connecting one of said containers to the interior of the innermost hollow cylinder.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 2 in which said central cylindrical member is welded to said rigid supporting plate.

4. A valve as claimed in claim 2 in which a neck on said central cylindrical member is sealed in a hole in said rigid supporting plate and held therein by a terminal bulge on said central cylindrical member.

5. Valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible plates are made of a plastic material.

6. Valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible plates comprise a relatively flexible central portion and a relatively rigid peripheral portion.

7. A dispenser comprising a valve as claimed in claim 1, a first container for pressure fluid in axial alignment with said central cylindrical member, and a second container for pressurized fluid encircling the first container.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 in which the first container is made of a flexible material.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 in which said valve defines a first passageway leading from said first container to the space between said central cylindrical member and the innermost hollow cylinder.

10. A dispenser comprising a valve as claimed in claim 2, and a plurality of containers for pressurized fluids positioned beneath said rigid plate in a ring about said stationary cylindrical member.

11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 in which said containers have rigid walls and are internally pressurized.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 in which said containers have flexible walls and are externally pressurized.

13. A dispenser for distributing a plurality of fluids comprising a valve as claimed in claim 1. 

1. A valve for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of fluids held in pressurized containers, said valve comprising a stationary central cylindrical member provided near its upper end with a conical seat, a plurality of concentric, radially spaced hollow cylinders encircling said stationary member, with their upper ends normally in sealing contact with said conical seat, each of said hollow cylinders being mounted on a flexible plate positioned transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said stationary member, said plates being superposed and all but the uppermost of said plates being pierced by a passage connecting a container therebelow to the interior of at least one of said hollow cylinders.
 2. A valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said stationary central cylindrical member is attached to a rigid supporting plate pierced by a passage connecting one of said containers to the interior of the innermost hollow cylinder.
 3. A valve as claimed in claim 2 in which said central cylindrical member is welded to said rigid supporting plate.
 4. A valve as claimed in claim 2 in which a neCk on said central cylindrical member is sealed in a hole in said rigid supporting plate and held therein by a terminal bulge on said central cylindrical member.
 5. Valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible plates are made of a plastic material.
 6. Valve as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible plates comprise a relatively flexible central portion and a relatively rigid peripheral portion.
 7. A dispenser comprising a valve as claimed in claim 1, a first container for pressure fluid in axial alignment with said central cylindrical member, and a second container for pressurized fluid encircling the first container.
 8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 in which the first container is made of a flexible material.
 9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 in which said valve defines a first passageway leading from said first container to the space between said central cylindrical member and the innermost hollow cylinder.
 10. A dispenser comprising a valve as claimed in claim 2, and a plurality of containers for pressurized fluids positioned beneath said rigid plate in a ring about said stationary cylindrical member.
 11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 in which said containers have rigid walls and are internally pressurized.
 12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 in which said containers have flexible walls and are externally pressurized.
 13. A dispenser for distributing a plurality of fluids comprising a valve as claimed in claim
 1. 